Reindeer Hunt In Alaskas Aleutian Islands A True Adventure

What makes an adventure? A remote destination, challenging travel, capricious weather, unusual or difficult terrain, an interesting species that is not readily available just anywhere, and of course, colorful people and interesting cultures. Add super trophy quality and you've got the hunt on offer by APICDA (Aleutian Pribilof Islands Community Development Association) in partnership with Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures. The hunt takes place on Umnak and Atka islands and is for free-range reindeer. These animals were introduced from Siberia early in the 20th century as a food source for the local population of Aleut natives. With fewer and fewer Aleutians choosing to live on these islands, however, the hunting pressure is very low and the trophy quality excellent. Another plus is that these animals are owned by the native corporations on these islands, so hunting seasons and permits are controlled by them. The biggest challenge here is actually getting to and from Umnak and Atka islands. I'll explain that in a minute.

Over the past few months I had the opportunity to visit both islands and experience the hunting on them. I arranged both trips through Dan Goodenow of Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures. The idea behind their partnership with APICDA is to help the local Aleuts build a hunting program that will provide work, income and meat to those natives still living on the islands, and create awareness of the Aleutian people and their fascinating history. Most people are unaware that the village of Nikolski on Umnak Island, for example, is one of the few settlements on Earth that has been in continuous habitation for more than 8,000 years.

Even veteran Alaska hunters are probably unfamiliar with the Aleutian Islands. This chain of islands stretches off the Alaska Peninsula way out into the Bering Sea. It is 1,100 miles as the crow flies from Anchorage to Atka; a little less to Umnak. Both islands are further out than Dutch Harbor, made famous by the cable television show Deadliest Catch. The weather in the Aleutians can change from one hour to the next, with strong winds, fog, rain, hail,........(continued)